Welcome back to another episode of The Burnout Recovery Podcast! I'm absolutely delighted to share my conversation with Anthony Mennillo, Head of Claims and Legal Services at MIGA - Medical Insurance Group Australia, who has spent over two decades walking alongside doctors through their most challenging professional moments. As someone who has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact that medical complaints can have on our wellbeing - from junior doctors questioning if they'll ever be good enough, to seasoned consultants wondering if they've lost their purpose - Anthony brings both professional expertise and deeply personal insights to our conversation.

In this heartfelt discussion, Anthony opens up about his own burnout experience following an MS diagnosis, and how it transformed his approach to supporting healthcare professionals. You'll discover the comprehensive support that extends far beyond legal defence, including peer support networks and mental health resources that many doctors don't even know exist. Most importantly, Anthony shares two powerful, evidence-based strategies that can help prevent complaints before they happen: mastering the art of communication with our patients and colleagues, and prioritising our own wellbeing through professional support networks.

Whether you're a junior doctor feeling overwhelmed, a consultant navigating team dynamics, or anywhere in between, this conversation offers practical wisdom and gentle reminders that you're not alone in this journey. Join us as we explore how proactive self-care and authentic communication can not only protect our careers but also restore our sense of purpose in medicine.

Resources:
https://www.miga.com.au/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/migainsurance/
https://drjobraid.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

Thank you to our sponsors:
MIGA: https://miga.com.au & Heidi Health: https://heidihealth.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey amazing listeners! After 160+ episodes together, I want to make sure The Burnout Recovery Podcast is creating content that truly serves YOU in 2026.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, someone passionate about workplace wellbeing, or you just love practical strategies that work - your feedback will directly shape what you hear on this podcast.

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👉 Take the survey: https://bit.ly/burnoutreview26

Survey closes Wednesday 28th January 2026 at 11.59pm AEST- don't wait, do it now while you're thinking about it!

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Connect with Dr Jo: 🌐 Website: drjobraid.com 📧 Instagram: @burnoutrecoverydr 💼 LinkedIn: /in/drjobraid

Thank you to our sponsors:

MIGA: https://miga.com.au

Heidi Health: https://heidihealth.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the key to transforming your workplace culture isn't fixing what's broken, but amplifying what's already working?

In this episode, Dr. Jo Braid shares insights from her Stanford WellMD Director of Wellbeing Course and explores how Appreciative Inquiry can shift team dynamics from problem-focused to possibility-focused conversations. Drawing from real examples and research-backed strategies, you'll discover practical tools to start meetings differently, build stronger colleague relationships, and create positive change in your healthcare environment.

Learn the simple 3-Question Appreciative Check-in framework and discover how changing your first question can transform your work experience.

Join Dr. Braid as she shows you how focusing on strengths isn't just feel-good fluff—it's a powerful approach to reducing burnout and increasing engagement in healthcare teams.

Join the free Healthcare Leadership Hub: https://bit.ly/3LAIDqq

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

Thank you to our sponsors:
MIGA: https://miga.com.au & Heidi Health: https://heidihealth.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling flat and unmotivated after what should have been a restorative break? You're not alone. In this episode, Dr. Jo explores the science behind post-holiday blues, including the role of dopamine crashes and why healthcare workers are particularly susceptible to this phenomenon. She shares practical, evidence-based strategies for gradual re-entry, maintaining holiday elements in daily routine, and resetting your dopamine baseline. Learn why these feelings are a normal neurobiological response and discover actionable steps to extend the benefits of your time off while being compassionate with yourself during the transition back to work.

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

Thank you to our sponsors:
MIGA: https://miga.com.au & Heidi Health: https://heidihealth.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Jo shares a personal story about stepping into a locum position where she inherited a "difficult" patient situation involving family complaints and communication challenges. Rather than approaching the interaction defensively, she chose curiosity over preconception and discovered that the family wasn't difficult—they were scared and feeling unheard. Through this experience, she learned that healthcare resilience isn't about developing thicker skin, but about maintaining openness and choosing connection even in challenging situations. The episode explores how reframing complaints as information about unmet needs can transform patient relationships and offers practical tools including the "Fresh Eyes" approach, curious questioning techniques, and complaint reframing strategies.

Thank you to our sponsor
MIGA: https://miga.com.au

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

I acknowledge that I create this podcast on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people, who have been the custodians of this land around Orange, New South Wales, for thousands of generations. I pay my respects to Wiradjuri Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognize the continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. This acknowledgment is a small but important step in recognizing the sovereignty of First Nations peoples and the deep historical and ongoing relationship with Country.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on or through our Site, products and/or services is intended to be for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional advice for individual or specific situations and nor does it take into account your specific needs or circumstances. Under no circumstances should the content made available on our Site, or regarding our products and/or services be relied upon as professional legal, medical, financial, business or other advice. You agree to obtain these services if you need these. Our Site may have articles and content that is of a general nature and is intended to be for informational purposes only. Your access to and use of they Site is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Jo Braid shares a conversation with her mother that fundamentally changed how she views career success and professional identity in healthcare. Through her mother's journey from university lecturer to teaching retirees, Jo explores how healthcare professionals can avoid the dangerous trap of tying their self-worth to professional achievements. Drawing on research from the Mayo Clinic and Stanford's WellMD Center, this episode examines the "arrival fallacy" - the belief that reaching the next career milestone will bring lasting fulfilment - and offers evidence-based strategies for reframing work as a means to support your life, not define it. Perfect for healthcare workers and helping professionals seeking to prevent burnout while maintaining meaningful careers, this episode provides practical tools for identity diversification and sustainable excellence.

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

I acknowledge that I create this podcast on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people, who have been the custodians of this land around Orange, New South Wales, for thousands of generations. I pay my respects to Wiradjuri Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognize the continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. This acknowledgment is a small but important step in recognizing the sovereignty of First Nations peoples and the deep historical and ongoing relationship with Country.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on or through our Site, products and/or services is intended to be for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional advice for individual or specific situations and nor does it take into account your specific needs or circumstances. Under no circumstances should the content made available on our Site, or regarding our products and/or services be relied upon as professional legal, medical, financial, business or other advice. You agree to obtain these services if you need these. Our Site may have articles and content that is of a general nature and is intended to be for informational purposes only. Your access to and use of they Site is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Jo Braid explores why healthcare workers and helping professionals often struggle with gratitude despite doing meaningful work. She breaks down the neuroscience behind how chronic stress and burnout literally rewire our brains, making it harder to experience positive emotions like appreciation. Dr. Braid explains the concept of "toxic gratitude" - when societal pressure to be thankful becomes another source of stress - and introduces evidence-based micro-gratitude practices designed specifically for overwhelmed helpers. Learn why your inability to feel grateful isn't a character flaw, but a predictable neurobiological response to sustained occupational stress, and discover practical strategies to rebuild your gratitude pathways without adding more pressure to your already stressed system.

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

I acknowledge that I create this podcast on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people, who have been the custodians of this land around Orange, New South Wales, for thousands of generations. I pay my respects to Wiradjuri Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognize the continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. This acknowledgment is a small but important step in recognizing the sovereignty of First Nations peoples and the deep historical and ongoing relationship with Country.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on or through our Site, products and/or services is intended to be for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional advice for individual or specific situations and nor does it take into account your specific needs or circumstances. Under no circumstances should the content made available on our Site, or regarding our products and/or services be relied upon as professional legal, medical, financial, business or other advice. You agree to obtain these services if you need these. Our Site may have articles and content that is of a general nature and is intended to be for informational purposes only. Your access to and use of they Site is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling overwhelmed before that big meeting or presentation? In this episode, I share my go-to stress management technique that can shift your entire nervous system in under 30 seconds. You'll discover the science behind the physiological sigh - a simple two-breath pattern that Dr. Andrew Huberman introduced me to - and learn how it activates your parasympathetic nervous system to bring instant calm and clarity. I'll walk you through the exact technique I use before every keynote and workshop, plus share two additional breathing tools (box breathing and triangle breathing) that you can use anywhere, anytime. By the end of this episode, you'll have three evidence-based breathing techniques in your stress management toolkit that you can start using immediately.

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

I acknowledge that I create this podcast on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people, who have been the custodians of this land around Orange, New South Wales, for thousands of generations. I pay my respects to Wiradjuri Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognize the continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. This acknowledgment is a small but important step in recognizing the sovereignty of First Nations peoples and the deep historical and ongoing relationship with Country.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on or through our Site, products and/or services is intended to be for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional advice for individual or specific situations and nor does it take into account your specific needs or circumstances. Under no circumstances should the content made available on our Site, or regarding our products and/or services be relied upon as professional legal, medical, financial, business or other advice. You agree to obtain these services if you need these. Our Site may have articles and content that is of a general nature and is intended to be for informational purposes only. Your access to and use of they Site is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.